Tailgate with integrated modular loading ramp

Abstract

A tailgate system, comprising: (i) a tailgate door configured to pivotally engage a rear cargo area of a body of a vehicle in between a closed position and an open position; and (ii) a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door and configured to pivot from a closed position to one or more open positions, wherein the bed extension includes a plurality of removable panels.

I claim: 
     
       1. A tailgate system, comprising:
 a. a tailgate door configured to pivotally engage a rear cargo area of a body of a vehicle in between a closed position and an open position; and 
 b. a bed extension pivotally engaged to the tailgate door and configured to pivot from a closed position to one or more open positions, the bed extension comprising:
 i. a removeable panel; 
 ii. one ore more frame members that form an outer periphery of the bed extension; 
 iii. one or more crossmembers extending between, or projecting from, the one or more frame members to form a cutout; and 
 iv. a mount positioned within the cutout, wherein the panel includes a flange that abuts the mount so that a hole of the panel aligns with a hole of the mount and a fastener extends through the hole of the panel and the hole of the mount to secure the panel to the bed extension. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the bed extension is pivotally engaged to the tailgate door via a lug portion extending from the one or more frame members, one or more crossmembers, or both. 
     
     
       3. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more open positions includes a semi-open position that forms an angle of about 180 degrees between the bed extension and an inner surface of the tailgate door. 
     
     
       4. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more open positions includes a fully-open position that forms an angle of about 210 degrees between the bed extension and an inner surface of the tailgate door. 
     
     
       5. The tailgate system according to  claim 4 , wherein a lug portion is received by a notch of the tailgate door to extend to the fully-open position. 
     
     
       6. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a slot on a first surface and a channel on an opposing second surface. 
     
     
       7. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is interchangeable with one or more additional panels. 
     
     
       8. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is extruded aluminum. 
     
     
       9. The tailgate system according to  claim 4 , wherein the bed extension includes one or more slots configured to secure one or more ramps, and the one or more ramps are stored within the confines of the tailgate door when not secured to the bed extension. 
     
     
       10. The tailgate system according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more ramps are secured to the bed extension in the fully-open position. 
     
     
       11. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein when the bed extension is in the closed position, the bed extension abuts an inner surface of the tailgate door, and the inner surface of the tailgate door includes a bore that allow a user to grasp the bed extension to move the bed extension to the one or more open positions. 
     
     
       12. The tailgate system according to  claim 11 , wherein an area of the bed extension is less than an area of the tailgate door so that the bed extension is stored within the confines of the tailgate door in the closed position. 
     
     
       13. The tailgate system according to  claim 2 , wherein the lug portion of the bed extension is received by a boss of the tailgate door, and the lug portion is pivotally engaged to the boss via fasteners. 
     
     
       14. The tailgate system according to  claim 3 , wherein the tailgate door further includes a block movably secured within a sleeve so that the block can be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and when the block is in an engaged position, a lug portions of the bed extension rests on the block to maintain the bed extension in the semi-open position. 
     
     
       15. A bed extension configured to pivotally engage a tailgate door, the bed extension comprising:
 (i) one or more frame members that form an outer periphery of the bed extension; 
 (ii) one or more crossmembers that extend between, or project from, the one or more frame members to form a cutout; and 
 (iii) a panel secured within the cutout via a mount positioned within the cutout and secured to the one or more frame members, one or more crossmembers, or both, wherein the panel includes a flange that abuts the mount. 
 
     
     
       16. The bed extension according to  claim 15 , wherein the panel is secured to the mount by a fastener extending trough the flange into the mount. 
     
     
       17. The bed extension according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more frame members, the one or more crossmembers, or both include a slot configured to secure removable ramps. 
     
     
       18. The tailgate system according to  claim 1 , wherein the bed extension includes six panels secured in six cutouts.